Collar fastening means



May 22, 1962 J. v. SCHAFER COLLAR FASTENING MEANS Filed May 5, 1958 IN V EN TOR. fflf/N M SCH/4P5 W 4/ W ATTORNEY 3,035,271 COLLAR FASTENING MEANS John V. Schafer, 516 W. Chicago St., Bronson, Mich. Filed May 5, 1958, Ser. No. 733,168 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-128) The invention relates generally to fastening means and more particularly is directed to structure or means for detachably connecting portions of a garment in an overlapping relationship.

The structure embodying the invention may be utilized wherever applicable but is preferably designed and constructed for connecting the free end portions of the neck band of a conventional shirt together in a unique manner whereby the size of the collar may be varied.

More particularly in this respect, it is recognized that shirts after one or more washings or cleanings will shrink and thereby reduce the size of the collar to such an extent that when the collar is fastened through the agency of a button and hole therefor, the collar is too tight for the comfort of the wearer of the shirt. Also, in some instances, the shrinkage of the shirt and/or an increase in the weight of the wearer is such that the button cannot be inserted into the hole, thereby rendering, for example, a dress shirt unsuitable for formal use.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal objective of the subject invention is to provide a garment with overlapping portions, in which one of the portions is provided with an elongated opening or slot which is divided into a pair of openings or button holes by a flexible partition and the other portion is provided with a fastener, preferably in the form of a button, which may be readily inserted into one of the openings to increase the size of the garment or into the other opening to decrease the size of the garment.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a structure which can be economically incorporated into the collar of any type of conventional dress shirt or other apparel.

An important object of the invention is to provide a structure in which the length of the slot is preferably made somewhat less than the length of a pair of conventional button holes so that the structure can be economically incorporated into the collar of a conventional shirt without requiring any material redesign or reconstruction of the collar, such as increasing the length or size of the collar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure with a slot as described above and in which the flexible partition is preferably of a cord-like character and of a length somewhat greater than the normal width of the slot so that the partition may be readily flexed into the rearmost opening when the button is inserted into the foremost opening or into the foremost opening when inserted into the rearmost opening.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a partition which forms a loop, is substantially concealed by the button when the latter is in place in neither opening and does not require any care or maintenance during laundering or in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modified form of structure in which the partition is constructed of rubber or equivalent resiliently flexible material and the collar is provided with stays alongside a slot for stabilizing the shape or form of the slot.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed thereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial front elevational view of a conventional shirt embodying the invention;

$335,271 Patented May 22, 1962 FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of a collar illustrating details of the design and construction of an elongated slot and partition joining longitudinal marginal edge portions of the material defining this slot;

FIGURE 3 depicts a partial front elevational view of a conventional shirt provided with a modified form of structure;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial view of a collar of the shirt illustrated in FIGURE 3 showing details of the modified form of structure; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE 4.

Referring first to the structure illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, numeral 1 generally designates a shirt having a frontal portion 2, a frontal portion 8 overlapping the frontal portion 2, and a collar 4 having a neck band 5.

The end portion of the neck band joined to the frontal portion 2 of the shirt is provided with a fastener, preferably in the form of a conventional button 6, and the end portion of the band joined to the overlapping frontal portion 3 of the shirt is preferably provided with an elongated slot 7 extending lengthwise or longitudinally of the band and a flexible partition -8 disposed transversely of the slot to divide the slot into a pair of substantially corresponding openings or button holes 9 and 10 for selectively receiving the button.

As clearly exemplified in FIGURE 2, the marginal edges of the material defining the slot are reenforced by button hole stitchings 11. The flexible partition 8 may be constructed of any material desired but is preferably made of cordage, with its ends permanently secured to the marginal edges of the slot by the stitchings 11 or other suitable means. The partition, as alluded to above, is of a length somewhat greater than the normal width of the slot so that it may be readily flexed toward either end of the slot when the button is introduced into either of the openings. The partition is common to both openings and when the button is inserted into the foremost opening 9 the partition will flex into the rearmost opening 10 as shown by the full lines in FIGURE 2 and when the button is inserted into the rearmost opening 10 the partition will flex into the foremost opening 9 as depicted by the dotted lines in said figure. When the button is in the foremost opening 9, the threads securing the button to the band will normally engage the fore end of this opening and when the button is in the rearmost opening 10, the threads will normally engage the partition at a location within the confines of the foremost opening. Thus, it will be apparent that both openings are utilized to some extent when the button is inserted into either opening.

Attention is directed to the fact that the annular distance between the button and the rearmost button hole or opening 10 may constitute a particular size of shirt for regular use until the size is reduced by shrinkage and/or increased weight of the wearer, in which event, the button may be inserted into the foremost hole 9 to increase the size of the collar and thereby give comfort to the wearer.

The relative sizes and locations of the slot, partition member and button are such that the major portions of the slot and partition member are substantially concealed from view when the collar is fastened about the neck of the wearer.

Also, as previously pointed out, the invention may be economically incorporated into the structure of a conventional shirt during the process of its manufacture, or if desired, a shirt, after purchase, may be reconstructed by lengthening the slot, reenforcing it and providing a suitable partition or member therefor.

In the modified structure exemplified in FIGURES 3,

4 and 5 a shirt 12 includes a frontal portion 13 and a frontal portion 14 overlapping the portion 13. A collar 15 on the shirt includes a neck band and the end portion thereof on the frontal portion 13 is provided with a fastener preferably in the form of a button 16 as in the structure above described. The end portion of the band carried by the overlapping frontal portion 14 is provided with an elongated slot or opening 17, similar to the slot 7 above referred to. The marginal edges of the material defining the slot 17 are reenforced by button hole stitchings 18 and a resiliently flexible or stretchable partition or member 19 has its ends joined to the longitudinal marginal edges of the slot by the stitchings 18 or by any other suitable means. This partition may include a rubber core and a sleeve therefor as shown in FIGURE 5. The partition 19 functions in substantially the same manner as the partition 8 but may be stretched to a greater extent than the partition 8.

If found desirable, that portion of the band in which the slot 17 is provided may be reenforced by a pair of corresponding flexible flat stays 20 which may be readily detachably inserted into pockets 21 therefor provided in the collar along the sides of the slot as depicted in FIG- URES 3 and 4. These stays serve to stabilize the material about the slot. Access to each pocket is made through a slit 22 and the lengths of the pockets or stays are preferably such that the stays will be concealed when placed in the pockets. The stays may obviously be constructed of any desirable material, such as a plastic.

In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that the unique structures disclosed offer a novel way of detachably connecting the overlapping portions of a garment, such as a shirt, and may be constructed therein during its manufacture or after purchase as described above.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. Structure of the character described comprising a pair of overlapping portions, one of said portions being provided with a fastener and the other of said portions being provided with a slot having longitudinal marginal edge portions, and a flexible member having its ends joined to the marginal edge portions at locations substantially midway the length of the slot to divide the latter into a pair of openings, said flexible member having a length somewhat greater than the normal width of the slot so that it will be caused to flex when the fastener is introduced into either opening to secure the overlapping portions together.

2. An article of wearing apparel provided with a slot, and a flexible member having ends joined to the apparel and dividing the slot into a pair of separate openings, said flexible member having a length substantially greater than the normal width of the slot so that when a fastener is introduced into one opening the member will flex into the other opening and when introduced into the other opening the member Will flex into said one opening.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 425,750 Campbell Apr. 15, 1890 1,039,144 Kremer Sept. 24, 1912 1,062,468 Johnson May 20, 1913 1,079,807 Snyder Nov. 25, 1913 1,397,345 Manire Nov. 15, 1921 1,983,309 Rubinstein Dec. 4. 1934 

